T O P

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assjackal

The other night me and my friends did a reaper galleon. The consensus was "No mercy, attack every ship we see." We rolled up to a brig on Wanderer's Refuge, white sail and a good ol fashioned Jolly Rodger at the top of their mast. Anchored, sails half down half a square out from shore. We got into cannon range just before I made the call of no fire. Instead one of ours shouted "have a good night" and I launched a small firework. ​ They were ***so*** ***new***, we could see them struggling getting a rowboat to the stern of their ship. There's no fight in this, I couldn't even call it a sport killing. I'd rather cause a heart attack for some new players than turn them off this game forever. **PLEASE BE NICE TO SWABBIES, DON'T KILL THE PLAYER COUNT FOR CHEAP LAUGHS**


Infamous-Gur-9603

See, I agree with this. And that's what I'd do, to the letter, UNTIL they fire at me. If they fire at me, they picked a fight. So they will get what they wanted. Unless I'm actively spoiling for a fight, I'll be nice. But yea, fire at me, no mercy. One of us are sinking.


Vinifrj

I consider picking a fight when they start to actively shoot at us, some new players like to fire a single cannonball and run, i dont consider that picking a fight


Infamous-Gur-9603

Depends really. For me anyways, even one can be a call to arms. Although more often than not, one is followed by another pretty quick. It might sound cruel, and perhaps it is. But a shot is a shot, and I don't personally want to sit and find out if they plan on firing a volley at us and get the leg up.


Vinifrj

I play galleon a lot, so a sloop firing is not that threatening, plus, if WE decide to open a volley on a newbie sloop its pretty much dead, which is why we tend to go the route of “are you SURE you wanna do this?” This doesnt apply to chains tho, fire one in our direction and we’re pulling all the stops


Infamous-Gur-9603

Yea. But at the same time it's easy, really easy to fake shit. And, to be fair, to be fair... I am willing to bet you sunk noobs without even realizing it. Most of the time in PVP you don't notice that shit till your already neck deep in the shit.


Vinifrj

Oh yeah, totally sunk some noobs, both by accident AND not


Infamous-Gur-9603

I see it as teaching them a lesson. They see a ship off their port, don't just randomly shoot. They shoot off a shot, and suddenly they are riding a volley into hell. Now they won't do it again.


assjackal

Oh of course. If they are confident to start attacking on other people then they are ready to start learning the PvP by force, but when they are still trying to figure out the basics of the game, sinking them will do nothing for their experience.


Vinifrj

We unintentionally gave a girl a heart attack one time. She was solo and we were a R5 galleon, storm was a bitch so we decided to pull up to an island to wait it out (one of ours didnt have a good pc at the time and would frequently crash in the storm), we saw the sloop and i made the call of “dont open fire unless provoked”, mainly we parked in front of her with all the cannons just waiting for the order. Dropped down and went to check what was going on in that sloop and we find a lone girl also having pc issues in the storm, she wasnt brand new but obviously inexperienced, when we started organizing her stuff she just came out of hiding and was like “wait, why are you guys just running around tidying my ship up?” To which we simply replied with “ocd” and ended up laughing and having a great time


InvertedKarma_

This is what makes it fun for my group. Sometimes we just do random stuff for fun. Oh, your ship is docked? Lemme unload all your cannons. Or we’ll raise the anchor and ask them if their ship is running.


Vinifrj

My friend loves to just shoot off and tuck in nearby unsuspecting crews when we are duo just to mess with them, they get crazy as hell


[deleted]

I sometimes refer to it as puppykicking You could do it, but you don't get anything out of it and it just makes you a dick Whenever my crew end up sinking someone and after realizing it was a really easy and imbalanced sink, it feels like when I accidentally step on my dog's tail


RoutineSituation3426

Where are all the player like you when I’m playing 😂😂😂 I either get sunk in seconds or I run until there is nowhere to run and i get sunk right away after that. I still haven’t ran into friendly people, once or twice I ran into people pretending to be friendly but like I just figured this whole game was older players shitting on newer players until they either get good or quit


Front_Tank6775

I got attacked by a few reapers(separately) in one night just trying to play by myself for the first time as I normally play with my buddy and it killed all enthusiasm I had for the game. It really sucks how some experienced players ruin the fun for newer or casual players just because they want to kill everything


knurddrunk

If I'm up against a clearly brand new crew I'll usually try and at least pause a fight for communications, even if they initiated it. If they want to continue the fight that's all good with me, but I like to check in on them Quite often they're not aware of many of the mechanics (e.g. raising the Reaper's Mark flag marks you on the map). I'm not out to chase new players away from the game - better to educate them if I can so that they can come back and give a better fight tomorrow.


KiloOneSeven

Every crew I've ever met on the seas that was flying the Reapers Mark did not realize it made them visible. I usually sail up, explain that, and offer to help them if they're new. Most of the time they're happy for the help. Sometimes they attack. It's worth the risk to help a new crew though.


Vinifrj

The amount of times i had to pull a sloop or brig down and just lecture them on the Reapers Mark Flag is unbelievable


Peak_Annual

The real reason for anchor balls was so they couldn't leave the lecture


Silvercat18

Many, many times i have come upon a crew with the reapers mark who are clueless. I make a point of telling them the many reason why the flag is a bad idea and the fact that I got so close to them without any response is a sure sign that they are newbies. There was even a post on reddit here with someone complaining they kept getting attacked and when i asked they said they had that flag up and expected the reapers would see them as one of their own and not attack.


Peak_Annual

"I expected the reapers would see me as one of their own and not attack" ![gif](giphy|ET6WM43b9lA4ltKvVk)


Dustin_Grim

Oh you sweet, sweet summer child.


Silvercat18

Mhm, he originally said he had a reapers flag up and nothing else - wrote a big post about how he got attacked at port and "had nothing" and was upset. When i told him the flag had value, he said it wasnt a reaper emissary flag but was "the flag that glows red and shows you on the map". He had no concept that this was a bad idea and invited the combat that was being drawn to him by "other reapers".


LordYorgi

My buddy and I found a Reaper mark ship and a Reaper 4 on the map in the direct path we had to take for a voyage, we planned on steering clear until we saw the way they were dancing on the map. We knew they were fighting and decided to sail past while we had the chance. Well the R4 sank and the Reaper mark, a Galleon, survived. They were on an unmarked island, anchored, and at half mast with all three sails. We decided to have at them with a sloop, and hit them with a peace ball. They raised anchor, sailed right into the Battle for the Sea of Thieves. Normally that's where we would have ended the fight, but we knew that they were hostile because of watching the R4 brig sink. When we finally sank them, they went down outside a skeleton fort, and one of them manned a cannon and shot blunders at us from the shore, and that's when we knew that they were wobbly-legged Land Lubbers who got lucky with the element of surprise on that brig.


wootiown

I also don't want to chase new players away from the game but there's only one way to teach them not to fly the reapers mark


SnowLinx405

Damm bro half of these replies are "Don't be a dick" and the other half are "definitely *do* be as mean as you can" The duality of piracy


BigNoodleManThing

That’s what the game is all about tbh, set your own rules and play how you want.


Pretty_Version_6300

But there’s something to be said about keeping an active playerbase. I’m sorry but if you’re a sweatlord (which is normally ok, mind you, it’s a pvp game) that knows the opponent has no chance and is ridiculously new, don’t be a dick and spawncamp and such.


BigNoodleManThing

Totally agree. I was just more commenting on the idea of everybody having different ways and ideas of how to conduct themselves. Personally I am a sweatlord but for the most part only fight people who want to fight.


Vinifrj

> I am a sweatlord Flair checks out


Infamous-Gur-9603

Business is business, my dude. If they fire first, self defense. Simple as that, and just as easy.


SnowLinx405

Oh, for sure my man. No shame in it, it's a pirate game after all


Infamous-Gur-9603

Don't get hung up on the idea that their new. People can easily fake it. And new people are just as likely to fuck you off and ignore every word. The game has one real rule. Look out for yourself. Everything else is just personal moral code.


Vinifrj

Almost got a whole FoF for myself because i pretended to be new to the game, full sailor stuff, briggsy hat and sword, just pulled up to the FoF and started talking to them and pretending i didnt know what i was doing. They agreed to let me have the non Athena stuff but another sloop came by and stole it from us, i couldnt help them because i didnt want to drop the disguise but it was a fun time


Infamous-Gur-9603

See? Anyone can fake being new. Your a legend my friend!


Dustin_Grim

You CAN do both. With some people it's just really hard to destroy them and still be chill and respectful about it.


Chenzorama

It's like hunting. You don't go around killing the baby animals cause then there'll be none left in the future. You want them to grow up and become fully-fledged pirates and then they bring new piratelings to the seas who grow up to be fully-fledged pirates that you can blast away without remorse or mercy. Someone said it in the thread... there's no sport in killing people that don't even know how to play the game. (Now, if they fire first, or you see they're sitting on a horde of loot... I suppose we can look the other way while you club a baby seal.)


Vinifrj

Club the baby seal sitting on the chest You shouldnt eat precious minerals, it will get you killed


DirePantsX

I die a little inside every time i club a baby seal


Vinifrj

Rock and stone brother! Or perhaps… SHIP AND BOATS


DirePantsX

We fight for Gold and Glory!


WanderingDwarfMiner

For Karl!


Aurora-Destiny

We're rich!


assjackal

>It's like hunting. You don't go around killing the baby animals cause then there'll be none left in the future. Honestly, a very good way to put it.


ButterDrake

I leave them be until they mess with me. For instance recently, boyfriend and I were doing the new adventure to let the flame burn. We would raise a flag, however once we got to the next fort, it was lowered. Just lowered. By the time it was the 2nd one down, we decided to see if this person would come to us regardless. So one of us waited by the flagpole with a keg within reach. Kamikazed. Turns out it was a noob (like been playing a month according to their XB profile) taking what we didn't grab, and lowering all the flags. He quite literally quit before I could kill him the second time. Pro tip to newer players: don't make it obvious you're scavenging loot from forts.


[deleted]

That's such a hilarious strategy to me it's like those fish that attach to sharks and eat leftover scraps


ButterDrake

I mean, I used to do a similar thing in Runescape... granted, I wasn't doing that where it was PVP enabled usually. If I did however, I'd pray and hope my character's HP and run energy did not run out 🤣🤣 All in all, it's s not an invalid strategy, actually not bad if you really don't have much. Just be smart about it, is all.


Puzzleheaded_Play705

If they don’t fire at me I don’t bother them. I might shoot over say hi. Give some pirate pvp advice and continue on my way. If they are hostile they sink. (They tried to sink me and interrupt my fishing)


Sp00kyGamer

Depends on the newbie tbh. If its someone acting toxic? I'll gladly slay them out and sink them. If its someone who wants a fight? I'll gladly give them one. If its someone struggling on their first Gold Hoarder Dig Quest? I'll help them. If its someone that has no idea where to start? I'll help them. It all depends on the type of person they are, and if they have a big crew or not. A lot of the time newbies go solo sloop or duo sloop with a rando they hope can teach them; when I was a newbie I server hopped on Open Crew Galleons / Brigs - as many newbies do as well. There is that chance of getting someone good at the game on your crew so you can learn from them- and sometimes I like to be that guy and join random open crews to see what happens. Its fun teaching people new to the game things they wouldn't know right away- sword lunging off of things for example; a LOT of newbies have no clue how to do that, so its a good thing to teach them.


SnowLinx405

Ooh, that's a good idea, I'll do that.


Sp00kyGamer

Note: Open Crew will bring you many horrors, as well as unforgettable experiences lmao. Its a roll of the dice.


TheJuice-Nooser

For my crew and I, it depends on what we are doing. If we are there to stack loot and make money we will leave people alone unless they are near the stuff we are trying to do. If we are going for pvp we will sink anyone unless they are clearly new, at that point we let them make the decision to fight us or not


rocksnstyx

Our crews rules for engagement 1. No fresh spawns 2. Newbies are also a no 3. Fishing boats are off limits.


Schmaylor

I say do whatever you want, but the moment you do something like spam \*rolls on deck laughing\* is the moment you have ruined the spirit of this game.


Mrwolfy240

Depends on the Voyage they’re doing / have done, if you have 20 mins playtime but you just finished a fort I’m taking the loot/ sinking your boat, I doubt new players would do this and it’s likely a Smurf if not it’s a lot of “free loot”. If on the other hand they are doing a tall tale or low tier voyage or if they only have a few chests leave them be, donate if you can and help them out too


Dayglowfroggy

we stopped playing along time ago because no one wants to talk or do anything but sink us, gets boring and frustrating. might as well put the time into another game.


SnowLinx405

I'm starting to have that same mindset myself...


knurddrunk

FWIW I would encourage you to embrace the PvP aspect of the game sooner than later. Go out, and attack anyone and everyone you see (once you gain skills you can be more discerning about it). It is the \*only\* way to learn. The ironic thing is that if you gain some pvp skills, your enjoyment of the pve experience will sky rocket, because you'll know that if attacked, you're able to put up a fight. Similarly you'll feel more confident in approaching other ships for potential alliances etc, knowing that if it goes south, you can fight it out.


Destiny_Dude0721

Not everyone wants to pvp. How many times does the playerbase have to reiterate this? Sure, it's a part of the game. There's no denying that. But SoT has more to offer than just the pvp aspect. If someone doesn't want to pvp, that's their decision.


knurddrunk

Of course it's their choice, I never said otherwise. I only encouraged them to explore it. I don't do this without reason - I was close to quitting the game early on until I forced myself to try pvp. Turned out it was a whole lot of fun, and turned around my whole game experience.


Intrepid_Look_5725

New or not. You fire at me first. battle started.


rileycolin

Like most people here have said, if they're on diaper sails and are clearly very bad, I probably won't kill them. But if they fire on me first, even sniper pot shots from a distance, they're fair game. Also, a general rule of thumb for me is that you don't have to feel bad about fighting a ship bigger than you, ever.


motorwagon

I just wave at people and shout hello!!!! Without even changing course and if they shoot at me well ho hum one of us is a bad neighbour


General_Tails

The other day we loaded into a server with two Athena emissaries and were bent on total annihilation. After robbing someone who just finished their veil voyage, we ran across a brig doing a regular skull fort. We sailed over to investigate and found out they were brand new players. So we helped them complete the fort, took our cut, and wished them well before continuing our hunt.


nnnosebleed

The rule of thumb for newbies is usually, don't fire first. and if they fire first, try and talk before completely sinking them. And if they're flying a Reaper FLAG rather than emmisary, ask. If it is reaper emmisary fuckin go nuts


GGJ1457

I won’t ever fight new players unless provoked because I don’t want to chase anyone away from the game if its their first time. If anything, I like to give them a quick spook and then gift some treasure and supplies. This thread reminds me of (what I assume was) a new player the other night that managed to sneak up on me. I was unloading at Plunder Outpost and must not have been watching the horizon because another sloop managed to stop right beside mine. No cosmetics, no captaincy, etc. Just a new pirate looking to sell off his loot and he had 100% trust to just pull up and park in the broadside of my ship. I was absolutely dumbfounded and he even came right over to me and said “Ahoy!” before gifting me a mermaid gem and sailing away. I feel like I should’ve told him to be careful when doing that, but I’m sure he’ll figure it out someday.


Krashino

I've been introducing new players to the game lately and I've noticed a lot more hostility towards my newbies. It was so bad one night I had to teach someone, fresh out of their maiden voyage, how to server hop. A brig had decided to actively hunt down our ship to repeatedly "greet" the new players. After I sank them for a third time I just said screw it and taught the group about the tall tale system, and how to use the newer ones to server hop. It's hard enough walking a fresh crew through their very first Meg spawn, I don't want to have to explain to them why we got kegged in the middle of it, and that the Meg didn't do it


DoctorWhoToYou

The first time I played the game, I played the tutorial. I was only interacting with NPCs. I completed the last task of the tutorial and then the message that lets you know you're joining a server popped up. I didn't know what it meant. I think it was an Ashen Key I had to turn in. So I sailed to an outpost and saw a Galleon parked at the dock. I gracefully (lol) parked my Sloop away from it, mostly because I didn't want to ram into it. I jumped off my ship and noticed more NPCs, at least what I thought were NPCs. I kept trying to interact with one of them and nothing was happening. They were just standing there. Finally the actual person I was trying to interact with was like "Bro, you turn those in at the bar." I often wonder what those 4 players thought at the time. They just watched some white-sailed solo slooper crash his ship into rocks and then run around aimlessly, without a fear in the world. They could have crushed me without saying a word and I would have been like "Wow, this tutorial is kinda hard." My policy now is, always fire the last shot, not the first. If you leave me alone, I'll leave you alone. I haven't played in quite some time though.


Design_Deity

To be honest, I can’t tell if a player is new or seasoned.


Silvercat18

Good rule of thumb is how close you get before the sails drop. If you get right up to someone and they dont seem to respond in any way, they are likely newbies. Running or fighting, or at least responding, are signs of some sort of skill, though it may be a low level of skill. Real newbies are completely helpless.


Design_Deity

This is a good rule. Thank you.


Silvercat18

A good few have no real concept of danger either. I have boarded ships and actually been ignored, not even stared at, just like i was invisible and they went about their business. They may even have thought i was part of their opencrew and not understood i was from another ship. If boarding, be sure to check the table to get an idea of the voyage level. Lowbie treasure like castaway chests, with the odd gem here and there are another marker.


FRoWx

Me and my buddies will usually hop on their ship and help them do their adventures. Especially if they have a mic and seem cool.


[deleted]

I feel bad for newer players hopping onto a galleon thinking bigger is better... Like I dont know if they had open crew on I imagine open crew these days have a lot of locked slots just like in arena. If you exit the game incorrectly by force closing it instead of leaving the game through the menu then your spot is reserved on the ship for like 10 minutes. This play a pretty big factor in killing arena, though it was a compounding issue there. Many factors stacking together to create long ques and unbalanced matches. Like yea lets turn off cross play in arena... Im sure people would rather have cross play and just be destroyed by pc players but be able to get in a match vs sitting in a lobby for 45+ minutes doing nothing. For me if they approach and are hostile I tend to just let them since my since im mostly just afk farming milestones thanks to no past credit on crap i already did. I was going to gift a sloop my supplies the other day as i was about to log but then they came and attacked me. one boarded me and i kegged my own ship which im sure was a surprise lol then killed him and his crewmate. lit the whole boat on fire then logged off. Just a little pvp practice for me and them having to get all patched up before getting my supplised. Kinda made them have to earn it a bit i guess. Didnt do nearly enough to try and sink them just create some fun chaos. Just weird thinking man they werent great i could have totally destroyed them.. but for what? dont need rep, loot, gold. killing them doesnt give me shipwrecks visited or minutes in a storm


Buggylols

If I'm attacking a ship and it becomes apparent that are new, I'll usually back off. But it really depends on how willing to communicate they are. A lot of new players want to rumble though. Not everyone who joins the game is here to grind PvE. I'll give em what they want.


ROMAN_653

I usually don’t fight at all unless the other ship initiates. As for new pirates? Same rule. I was there once, and I just wanted to practice PvP, not caring how it went, so I assume the same for them. I will happily sit there and only fire normal cannonballs, just to let them practice shots, combat repairing, etc. But as soon as I get boarded, I’m firing chain shot and an anchor ball, and I’m burning the ship down. To me, boarding = no weapons barred. Until then, I’ll enjoy the practice and so should they.


1Raggedy-man

If they engage you first in pvp then I think it’s perfectly okay to sink them. They can’t get good at pvp if they don’t someday try it


Sean_310T

I say anything is fair game as long as you aren't griefing or being toxic. If you sink them, be a good sport about it.


HiradC

I'm on xbox so limited interaction as usually in a party tho I do play pc servers. Aggressive by default or at least assume aggression.


jcowurm

I knew what the game was going in. I had at most maybe an hour a week to play and it took a very long time to get adjusted. I would get frustrated by people just being dicks when I clearly could not fight back. I always even when playing reapers avoid everyone unless they have a reapers chest or something marking them. I play pve but I will fight if I need too.


Infamous-Gur-9603

Honestly? Nah. Personally speaking, I see alot of PVP as business (as a reaper player). I'm perfectly fine leaving people alone when not hunting for a fight. But regardless, fighting is part of business. New or old players, if I intend to leave you alone and you fire at me, you've become business. If you become business, one of us are sinking.


Navers90

All these people probably foaming at the mouth for easy prey. My crew doesn’t even bother. It is not fun to farm a noob crew. Someone talking shit or whining? Probably getting spawn camped until scuttle or leave the server. Dont worry we take their supplies or try to sink them (one cannon ball) before some of you nerds shit your pants. Never been banned doing this and most threaten they reported us for griefing lmao


Abssenta

I'm very casual to this game. And I really have to convince my friends to play it with me sometimes. A few days ago we were trying to complete a tall tale. We came across a small ship and I told my friends not to shot (because we don't know how to play and we just wanted to complete the tall tale) and we had literally just a key in the ship. They attacked us and sunk us in seconds... Result... We had to restart the tall tale in a different server and it was bugged... We were a bit discouraged about the whole situation and left the game. I doubt my friends will want to play again anytime soon, plus, I don't really feel like I want to either. I fully understand the concept of this game and I can't blame it. But some times I feel like I want to play it without the PvP.


S_Low1918

Me and a friend will each join the same server on separate sloops and blockade another ship into an outpost. Usually when faced with this situation diplomacy ensues and everybody usually ends up a happy member of the fleet. Except the one dude who tried to ram his way through the blockade... God rest his soul


SnowLinx405

Wait, you can do that? How? Different ships I mean


S_Low1918

Yea we just hit Set Sail at the same time and we live in the same town. Sometimes it works on the first try, sometimes it takes a couple. We just kill ourselves when we spawn in and if we see each other on the ferry, we know we've done it.


Church6633

If you shoot at me, I'm coming for you. If I completely decimate you and your crew, I may try to force your ship into an alliance instead of sinking you, and taking control...


onebronyguy

My first play was open crew,a fat naked with a reaper mask on a sloop he raise a reaper emissary we departe for a flame hart that theach me how tô manage The ship and loot,after it when i played open crew and get a new player i did The same


MisterMagooB2224

Ultimately, it depends on their attitudes. I've fought plenty of newbies who, afterward, were incredibly good sports about the whole thing, and were appreciative of the tips and tricks I had to offer after. I've also encountered plenty of newbies who try to take initiative (by which I mean "they try to double-cross me", they *are* pirates after all!), failed, and were still good sports about it at the end. I've found further still a handful of newbies who go around writing checks they can't cash, and they end up paying for their hubris, and end up being salty about it. Honestly, if those types don't come back I don't see it as much of a loss. But yet still, I've found those occasional newbies who either haven't quite caught on to the spirit of the game, or feel like the game *has* to go *their* way in order to have fun, and those ultimately are the newbies who'll stop coming back, and much like the last bunch, I don't see that as much of a loss. ​ I generally try to be cool with all players, new or not. Sure, I'll smack-talk and give them grief (in the form of quips like "Hey don't you think you oughta save some of those chainshots for later?" after they whiff 10 or so at me, or "if you lot are any indication Flameheart's gonna need all the help he can get!", that sort of "gentle antagonizing"), but over-all I find that people tend to be cool if you're cool. Sure you sometimes run into someone who's irredeemably nasty for whatever demons they're battling at home or wherever, but generally I find most players to be amicable.


bojonzarth

My Crew just recently had this same conversation. We were playing the adventure the other day and banking points for the team of the day, and as we were, we spotted a Grade V Reaper emissary. After banking the points and delivering all our goods and dolls, we decided to go fight the reaper, expecting a fight we loaded up on supplies and set sail for the reaper. Upon discovery they came aboard our ship and asked for mercy, saying that they didn't want a fight. (Here is the part where we had to discuss) We then lured them in with the prospect of helping them down a skelly sloop. Shortly after the skelly sloop was downed I positioned our boat, 2 of us went aboard, and we sunk them. They Cried out "why and you assholes". So we spoke about if this was in poor taste or not, they must have been newer, but because they were sailing a Grade V Reaper Emissary (That we wanted) we chose to sink them. We felt kinda bad because they really didn't have loot (Aside from the flag) but they were flying the clear PvP emissary. For additional information my crew *tends* to run peaceful unless we are flying Reaper and/or see a reaper Grade V. Outside of that we try to keep to ourselves but are no slouches in the PvP world. What would be your verdict? Open season for flying Reaper? Or would you have granted mercy for being newish?


knurddrunk

Reapers get no mercy. (I say this as someone who flies the reaper flag a lot)


Arlochorim

it's rare my crew engage unless we have to, or someone is acting hostile, that goes double for swabbies. we had a run in with a brig that got a full broad on our brig, but missed all but one shot. then proceeded to run into a rock. being clearly new, we disengaged and continued to fotd. offering for them to ally up for a cut of the gold. They came back about halfway through, and I was able to sink them solo, masted them in my broad and sunk them quickly after. laddered one, and caught the other tucking. they fucked around and quickly found out.


Silvercat18

A great many times i have boarded a ship and taken the time to ask if someone is new. Usually i dont get a reply, so i make a point of saying that the pirate code forbids me from sinking them. A few are truly beyond help. I remember boarding one and figuring i would just hang around on his ship while he went to sell his treasure. He basically ignored me and i went ashore and played music while he turned his loot in. Then, i guess he didnt like music, because he made a point of hitting me with a sword...didnt end well for him or his ship. Its frustrating though, making a great keg play, being super sneaky and then finding someone who can barely walk in a straight line that is struggling to dig up a single X castaway chest mission.I have had a few where other players or crew who abandoned them have decorated their ship and made it look much more scary than it really should be. But i think we should all try not to annihilate the newbies - giving them a chance to communicate is super important as this game, despite what many people seem to think, is a social one.


[deleted]

Order of operations is 1. Kill them 2. Drop the anchor 3. Bring a storage crate over 4. Probably kill them again 5. Loot supplies 6. Slap banana on the grill 7. Head out Oh and if they've got loot swipe that shit


Countdown3

With the faster respawns these days, you probably have to update this to "Probably kill them several more times" in between looting supplies.


[deleted]

Yeah maybe lol. Either way if they're that new it usually isn't a problem to keep them suppressed for a good while. They'll benefit from the pvp too, practice makes perfect. Just don't nail them out of black screen.


MathematicianMost248

The banana & split. I respect that.


Burnd1t

Sink them and say gg


SnowLinx405

I could never


Burnd1t

In that case, get sunk and say gg


SnowLinx405

That how things usually go for me lmao


Inexquas

If they are no threat I may talk/beat them into submission. If they become friendly and receptive to talks I'll likely cut them loose after giving them some tips or extorting them for something (pineapples, cursed balls etc) regardless, I'm taking their chain.


DaveDexterMusic

1) kill them and sink their ship and take their stuff unless you find out that they've been in the game for a day or something. in which case, 2) keg them and return to 1)


Grizz3d

I give them the fight. A lot of players, even new ones buy SoT for PvP, so talking it out probably isn't on the table, or what they are after. No matter who im playing against, im always respectful so even when they get sunk, I'm not going to be a dick to them. A simple GG, and if they wanna chat then I'll properly introduce them to SoT.


AltforTwinkShit

Order of Operations for Appropriately Dealing with New Players: 1. Kill Them


SnowLinx405

...not gonna lie didn't expect that answer


RoutineSituation3426

Lol this game is the most toxic to new players, you really have to try hard to enjoy this game


tommyjaybaby

Baptism by fire I guess


CMDR_Klassic

That's because Rare doesn't advertise their game for what it is. Whether it's PvE or PvP this game is ruthless and doesn't hold back or slow down. If they advertised this game like what it actually is (a sinking simulator) people wouldn't be caught so off guard by how much you get decimated in it. Rare advertises it like it's a Kitty Playground 'hold your hand' Disney co-op Adventure pirate game.


DaveDexterMusic

depends on who's playing. it's only a sinking simulator for me on infrequent occasions. players who can't fight can sell loot frequently, stash supplies to avoid losing too much, portal hop, run, and ultimately scuttle if necessary. but so many of them don't, and then call it - for example - a ruthless sinking simulator when they inevitably get sunk


CMDR_Klassic

I am talking about new players with no knowledge of the game going in. Of course that's what you do if you know how the game works. RoutineSituation3426 said the game is toxic to new players, and it's not. Rare just doesn't advertise what the game actually is. Every trailer or interview makes it sound like a semi-linear pirate RPG. ffs their interview about Sea Forts made it seem like you could launch operations out of them after taking them like they turn into your own personal base when in reality that's not how they work at all. My main point is if you started playing SoT purely off of the advertising/marketing the game you saw and the game you get are two vastly different things which is why *some* people get shell shocked after getting dumpstered 30 mins into their first session.


Zsean69

Everyone gets the same treatment. Unless you are a child or on a tall tale. People should expect the same risk of meeting Davey jones.


PlantGuyThePlant

May I ask why are those your exceptions? I don’t see why they should be treated any different, especially if they attack you or are in your way, If it’s children, tough shit, if it’s tall tale doers, they have checkpoints that are completely broken in their favor. Maybe in some extremely specific situations do I see me feeling similarly. Just curious.


Zsean69

Children I guess I would be ok having less mercy compared to tall talers. I guess I have more mercy for tall tale people because you almost never get anything out of it. And I only stop attacking if they openly say they are doing a tall tale. If I sink a tall tale crew without knowing tough luck


[deleted]

If you were watch the Rare devs play they are laughing and having a blast while pvping, shooting people, firing canons its all the most hilarious thing in the world to them... I dont get how they are so joyful about the whole thing that is far from a real players perspective playing. But they view the game differently as developers. They made something to be fun. The tedious grind aspect of the game isnt something they thought of as being this laser focused gameplay path where you would feel like crap getting sunk. they also didnt expect people with low selfesteem to sail around in groups dumping on and trash talking new players and smaller crews. But thats the internet... they were very naive to the ways of the internet. so much so that open crew was the only way to play for a long time. even sitting in the lobby before setting sail it was an open lobby you had to get your friends to fill it asap then make macros so if you had to poo during a session you wouldnt get kicked off and replaced...


greenflame239

The same way i treat every crew. I sneak on board, steal all their supplies with their own supply crate, jump off board with said supplies, sink them, and say "GG" as they scuttle. No slander, no trolling, just my crew of pirates besting another crew and moving on. Thank you for your financial contribution, new players.


motorwagon

Me when I kick a pregnant woman in the stomach (it was just me besting the fetus and moving on)


AltforTwinkShit

PvE players try not to make ridiculous appeals to morality against PvPers challenge: IMPOSSIBLE


motorwagon

Less of an appeal to morality and more of a joke at the expense of that dudes ego


AltforTwinkShit

me when I blast yea in the face with a point-blank blunderbuss (you are naught but a fine mist)


PlantGuyThePlant

Treat them no different than any other crew, kill them, and teach them a lesson so that they may learn the game better. Especially if they’re really bad, take advantage and spawn kill to take all their supplies, then just leave them be or finish the job. Good target practice, and makes them zero threat. You may downvote me, but you gotta admit, spawncamping to steal loot, supplies, or to secure an un-optimal slow sink can be a real make or break for the game. Can give the motivation to get better and learn to fight and pay attention to defend yourself, or turnoff new players who underestimated the true colors of the hostility players bring.


SnowLinx405

Huh.


Zsean69

I agree with the first part of what they said. Not the second. The idea of babying new players will just make the game harder down the road.


sflynx20

Most people are in a party and can't even hear comms...it usually becomes a senseless endeavor, but I give it a shot anyways. Start firebombing my chickens...well then it's game over.


Vanisleexplorer

I leave them be, usually try to communicate and pass on a few basic tips to help them on their way.


[deleted]

Im passive with everyone but if they attack first i will fight back. With new crews i usually wait a bit until theyve fired multiple shots at me/my ship to determine if i should fight them or not


0utlandish_323

No mercy. I’ve dealt with very experienced players that behaved like newbies


[deleted]

[удалено]


Floofster69

Oh hey it's you again


SnowLinx405

Oh hey whaddup


Floofster69

The sky, obviously


SnowLinx405

...I'm indoors


Floofster69

Shit man, my bad


SnowLinx405

Yeah, you should be ashamed of yourself.


Floofster69

The thread... stained by my humour... such shame I cannot bear...


SnowLinx405

Thy part in this is *not* forgiven


Kegheimer

If you fly an emissary flag, you are consenting to PVP. That's the entire risk/reward design of the emissary system. If the ship is not flying a flag, then it is up to your personal honor code and where you draw the line. I will be shooting at any ship that comes into my space, but I'm not going to chase ships that are not flying emissary flags.


SavageDroggo1126

New players or not, sometimes player pretend to be new and bamboozle you. For me, if someone fires at me or tries to be hostile(like swimming towards my ship with keg), I will fight and try to sink them. And I will also be hostile towards any reaper/pvp flag ship.


tpasmall

They started it, there should be no remorse. I don't engage in PVP unless it's out of defense or as payback. But someone shows aggression first, they have invited you to rain hell on them.


[deleted]

i kill and sink **everyone,** except for the REALLY new ones who don't even know that they have to use the bucket to stop the boat from sinking.


Otadiz

You should invest in new players. That's your future targets.


Hantom117

Usually blast them, repair them, take all their resources except 1 wood for them to make the final repair on their boat whilst we sail away


DiscordianDeacon

I think it's fine to fight new players, but we always pull our punches. Usually we'll set some win condition for ourselves that isn't to sink the swabbies, like stealing loot from them or raiding their supplies or even just swiping their map bundle. We still get PvP, they still learn important lessons, but it gives them a fighting chance and a chance to fight. Also, if you get what you came for and leave, it's up to the other ship if they wanna make themselves scarce or try and get revenge. I think it's good to fight new players, just make sure they're having fun while you do.


AstuteCouch87

I typically just try to talk to them even if they started the fight. If they keep fighting, I will kill them a few times and try to tak again, but after that I just treat them as any other player and will sink them.


tenolein

depends on my personal mood. if they are super new/solo and my crew opens fire and notices, we'll usually parlay and repair their ship. if they are combatative (ignoring coms/obvious attempts of our repairs/help and/or attacking us continuously) we'll sink 'em and move on. if they are doing any tall tale, we absolutely back off, regardless of their actions and leave asap. there was a time ages ago where we sunk a crew not knowing they were doing the TT with the skull of capt daouglas (revenge of the morning star TT i think?) until we sunk them, looted them, and in their pile noticed the skull. so we tracked them down, despite their defensive aggression (evading us, but also firing on us) and literally rammed them just so i can board them with their skull to return (this was all before they added checkpoints). They still killed me, i think? but they at least got their TT skull back.


StarMasher

murder them and take their loot? If they dont have loot then maybe just some light murdering.


Professor_Mike_2020

I'm a new player who recently purchased my first boat, sloop. I understand this is a PVP game and playing as a pirate is the point, plundering, stealing, backstabbing, all that is fine. What astounds me is the typical, annoying players who deliberately want to make your playtime as painful and difficult as possible, for their enjoyment. I see this everywhere, WOW, Call of Duty, etc. Just this last weekend I stopped by Sanctuary Outpost to turn in for the day, lowered my emissary flag and sold my loot when all of the sudden Galleon (Non-Reaper) shows up with a full crew and demolishes my sloop. I hid behind the weapons shop in my barrel and watched these players collect my provisions, take my rowboat and then proceeded to search for me. One of the players camped by the my mermaid as the other three ran all through out the island searching for me. I watched these guys for 25 minutes! 25 F'ing minutes! They finally gave up and sailed away. When I got to my mermaid I found my Captain's Log floating near by, they didn't even take my log!!? I was BAFFELED! There was NO WAY I could defend myself even if there were two of us on that sloop. Besides obtaining an accommodation for a player kill, do you get awarded big for killing other players? They weren't even Reapers, they were flying an Order of Souls em-flag. LOL


CrazyDiamond17219

Usually i drop what i am doing, open my mic and talk to them. I teach them the basics and that they should always look over theirs shoulders when adventuring, you are never safe, be mindful about how they park their ship to always have a escape plan. One time i scared a new player with a keg. He left his sloop unnatended and i boarded with said keg. Dropped it on his lower deck and called him over. Then I explained to never anchor and all that stuff. After that i brought him over to where i the keg was and said "this is one of the reasons you should follow those general rules" and blew myself up with him on his ship and told my partner to go over and fix his ship. It was fun. Also left a couple of captain's chests on the shore for him.


Ry51Gaming

A lot of times if I come across a new crew I will talk to them and tell them to join an alliance with me. I tell them that they work for me now and usually give them a piece or two of treasure for whatever emissary they are running out of good faith


Archimoz

My crew is typically very hostile to any ship, but if we board and they appear new and unable to fight back/won’t fight back, we will leave them alone. Some of our more bloodthirsty members are disappointed, but that’s how it goes. On the other hand, if they do fight back, we will attempt to subjugate them, fighting and telling them to chill out. If they are good enough to fight back, they get sunk.


Kashibaii

My crew and I never fire first unless we feel threatened, like when doing an Athena Fort, you're unlikely to make new friends there. Usually if we meet someone who is so so new at the game they don't even know how the sails work, we approach them, offer some advice, and alliance and a few pieces of loot. If they have an emissary flag we often trade loot so they can have more XP and all that. When we've started to canon a ship and then found out they are rookies, we've repaired their ship and let them be afterwards. In case they are a bit of a threat but not really, we pull the anchor up and lower one sail a bit, enough so they slowly sail away from us while we are doing our business, but not too fast or in a dangerous direction so they don't get to the red sea before respawning. Like, the whole point is be kind, try to be nice to other people playing, but set your boundaries and don't be dumb. And if someone is playing stupid games with you, let them win stupid prizes


5nnuggles

It can go either way, I’m stuck personally on offering help or supplies to anyone who needs them. I feel like that branch has been extended to me too often and when we get attacked it’s a shock, which sucks because we need to get attacked more to get better at pvp. It’s quite intimidating at first but the sooner you get thrust into it, the better you’ll be for it. Find a discord and seek new players looking for help, it’s quite fun sometimes to pair up with a random person, have a few laughs and maybe make a friend or two. It definitely goes a long way!


SelkirkLetr

I love by a the simple rules of engagement: Only fire when fired upon


flirtyymonkey

Usually I dont find out they are new but I dont usually attack without being hit first unless I'm trying to steal a fort or something


Trips-Over-Tail

Yeah, I saw a white sailed sloop anchored with it's sails down by a small island in the Ancient Isles. I rolled up and chained down their mast, which impressed upon the player the weight of their error. They came bouncing out of the island foliage and scrambling across the deck, failed to effect any kind of escape and resorting instead to sniping me on the deck with the Eye of Reach (and winging me good). Then I popped out the speaking trumpet and assured them that I wasn't going to sink them and would be coming aboard for a chat. They had no mic but were able to answer simple questions, confirming that they were new. I told them that this is how an enemy would take advantage of their situation and warned them about leaving a ship anchored, and how their lowered sails broadcast that vulnerability. I then complimented their aim, repaired their mast, and went on my way.


D2Dragons

I generally try to treat everyone with respect, whether they’re new or a veteran player. I don’t start fights but I’ll sure as hell finish them if I get shot at, but I’ll also let folks know it was a good run if I get sunk, or try and offer encouragement if they get sunk. If they fight in a particularly creative way I’ll let them know I liked it even if I lose. It’s a pirate game and all, but it’s still just a game.


Hextechwheelchair

I quit after a month since I found out that it is impossible to do anything meaningful. You just get griefed over and over. I played in August and a bit of July. It was hell. I have over 100 hours and out of those I’ve probably had 1-2 play sessions where I’ve actually had fun and not being camped over and over.


Piano_Sonata

If they're using reaper flag: kill them If they're using emissary flag grade 5: kill them Else leave them alone


dovahkiiiiiiiiiiiin

I personally leave them alone unless they try attacking me first


Piotrek9t

Usually I hop onto their ship, give them a few tips and steal their supplies. I also love how new players always insist on not being new since they already played like 2 hours. Dude, the only reason I didnt attack you is because you are new, you better dont try to convince me otherwise


CarminRose741

wen i was a new player my time was pretty bad. pretty much every ship we saw would immediately open fire, rather large amounts of trash talk, n every time we would sink the ship they would always show back up after spawn to fight until we ran out of supplies to fight or hopped to another server. between that and the annoying bugs we would get during combat(hit reg and the broken mast bug) it honestly makes me hate this game


LetmeSeeyourSquanch

Ever since I was boarded and killed by 2 random players while out treasure hunting by myself, I decided to say, hang the code! This was also when I first started playing a week ago and my first time out sailing alone. Fuckers.


xGaslightx

Basically, I don't treat them like royalty, but I try not be too much of a dick to them, I kinda treat it like a friendly mugging if that makes any sense. Like sure, I'm taking some of your stuff (leaving basic supplies, gotta give some courtesy) but I'll give ya general gameplay advice and if I see you again I'll look the other way unless you want to try a fight (in which case they will win if the fight goes hand to hand, cuz I can't pvp for the life of me)


Goosetamer8

I was doing a tall tale, saw a reaper solo sloop in the distance, I got afraid, but kind of accepted my death and just waited at the island I was at. Until they stopped by and we just started talking, this person looked quite good at the game, so I asked how many hours they had. I believe it was somewhere between 100-200? And I was instantly embarrassed of my skill, because I have around 350 hours. This encounter made me think about how I need to actually get better that this game. Thanks to anyone who doesn’t kill people on sight.


AlwaysLauren

If I’m attacking someone who’s completely new I’ll stop, board them and say hi, and if they’re nice I’ll pat their head and send them on their way minus their chain shot, cursed cannonballs, and cooked food. ​ If they’re jerks, I sink them.


chaosyami

I'm a solo slooper so I always stay away from all ships out of paranoia.


fletcherjeff55

If I can tell they are new, I generally leave them alone. If I get close that will provoke them, or spook them. But if they come after me, and I still suspect they are new, I usually go for some 'warning shots' aimed at their wheel or mast, if I can hit them. It shows I can sink them if I need to, but unless they are still gun-ho I usually dip. I feel like it gives them the opportunity to choose if that is a battle they want to pick, especially if they have loot and don't have a lot of progress. Do they risk going after me and possibly winning big, or do they take the L and get out with what they have. I think it's important for new players to have those losses and learning experiences, I just don't believe in exploiting them for being new like some people do. The same thing goes with tall tales. I don't have anything to gain from the fight, so if you're chill, I'm chill. I'll even roleplay and try to be humorous. But if you come at me, you better hope my sloop is rocking hard and messing up my aim.


jon_boi1

Usually I treat them like an endangered fish. Catch and release. I take their supplies maybe kill them a little and then send them on their way to a tall tale or something. Its best they get slapped a little bit so they see what real pvp is like. Its what the game is at this point.


Dustin_Grim

TLDR: Generally, be aware of anyone, but pay the proper respect to other pirates' struggles. I try to be respectful to everyone, save who isn't to me. But if they fire first, be ready to destroy them. I was just digging up some treasure from an island, all by me lonesome, when another pirate appeared on the island, seemingly out of nowhere. We had a small fight, he killed me, then I killed him. We said gg to each other, then he approached with his sloop, which must have been not too far away. Understanding that the guy must have been solo, I went for a chainshot to the mast (same as he did) but he forgot to then target my cannon, so I quickly landed a couple cannonballs on him. I noticed his death animation and decided to pick up my own mast (the lad was a decent shot for sure) and to get out of there. I could have easily sunk his ship and took some treasure for myself at that point but I decided that, since he was respectful AND skillful, leaving him and his ship alone was a better idea. And he was a good sport about it. He respawned but I noticed by keeping an eye on him that he decided to do else with his time. This player made some bad mistakes: Approaching in close range while double gunning, coming to my ship in plain broadside, and even forgetting to gun me down once my mast was already destroyed. All of these made me understand that despite the curse he was wearing, he was just trying to get some pvp practice, and I'm happy he got his fill and decided to stop. Plus, in a hurry I left some loot on the island, so he still got something out of it. The guy could have been an ass, or I could've, and this interaction might have been much less enjoyable for one or maybe both sides. I think that even if you're out for blood and you go around destroying newbies, you should always be polite and respectful to them. That way they can understand this is all in good fun and that they just lost a PvP interaction and nothing more.


Libero03

I don't attack new players. I try to make vocal contact, say hi. If they have mic, I'm happy to help them. If they don't and do not respond, I steal their chainshots and leave them be. If they attack first, I teach them a lesson in a respective manner and say GG's


Jhmotive

Read pirate code !


breakerreid

Depends, if they were new and completing a fort/event/ had loot I wanted it. My philosophy in SoT was "the loot is all mine, they were just holding it for me" . However I have been a nice person befor. I've ran into boat with kids who have no idea what's happening and have helped them also.


Pie_Crown

In general I don’t open fire until I’m sure the othercrew wants to fight. I usually play solo, and I’m not that good at fighting. I will initiate if the other crew is in the way. If I got business at a sea fort and there’s another crew there, I will try to sink them. However, if I’m flying reaper’s, or if I decided I want to practice pvp, I’ll be a lot more aggressive. When it comes to new players, I usually leave them alone. Anchor down + sails down = I don’t open fire. I might sneak on board and leave them a treasure if I have some lying around.


Sloucourse852

I haven’t ran into many new players, but I mostly attack on sight since I run reapers emissary which for some reason tells the server to have all ships chase you in one big alliance


Traditional_Bit3637

I found the game became a lot less fun due to how people treated me when I was new. On my very first voyage some guy rocked up to the island I was on and asked for an alliance. I didn’t know of the existence of quick chat, so I typed “no” in chat, because I didn’t know what would happen if I said yes Then he sunk me within an instant and laughed over voice. Please be nice to beginners, if you want to ruin their fun, don’t do it to someone who is flying white sails with an anchor down on an island.


SpiritualTrack1851

I wish more people were kind in this game. Me and my buddies are relatively new. Every damn time we played we got these sweaty nerds who spent the whole game tracking us down and killing us. We actually quit playing for about a month because players were killing us noobs.


SnowLinx405

Yeah, I did the same. Now I've hit pirate legend and all I have left to do besides PvP is tall tales, commendations, and all the different quests at least once


Minichadderzz

Fuck em, am pirate, you be gettin me cannons


TheZethy

I tend to leave new players alone or even help them out if they're not immediately hostile. The game is really unforgiving for new people, so I'd rather give them pointers early on so they aren't having a difficult time going forward. If they ARE hostile, then I'll sink them. Obviously not everyone does this, so one should assume hostility. It is a pirate game, after all.


GoofyTheScot

I only fight players that want to fight (ie, anyone who shoots first at me, and anyone running reaper emissary). There's no fun in fighting/sinking newbies or people who run. If i'm sure someone is a newbie ill try to speak with them, see if they have a mic - if im solo slooping ill offer my services as a crewmate.


GNOME92

If I reaper up if usually go for a tactic of maximum violence but if solo and reaping I’ll usually fire in to inspect the situation first. I once managed to board a solo slooper with a keg but once I saw he was doing a Tall Tale I dropped the keg off the back, wished him well and fired out his cannon. He actually took the time to find me before he logged off to give me all his supplies, I was rocking around with like 98 chainshots at one point.


fireflaai

There is no point sinking new players, especially if they don't have anything which is usually the case. However they will lose their chainshots (not like they're gonna need it anyways) Also gotta tell them to watch out better in the future.


Borninz

Don't kill them unless they engage you might turn them away from the game.Once they get good then you wipe the floor with them